July 01, 2008
CAG Foreplay #47: 2.0 Weeks of Releases (7/1/08)
Posted by shipwreck
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CAG's shipwreck & mrs. shipwreck preview the new releases for the week of July 1st, 2008. This week we are "Back in the Saddle" and ready to see if the last two weeks of releases have "What It Takes" to have you "Walk This Way" to your local retailer. I'm sure you are saying, "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing", so "Just Push Play" and we'll see you on "The Other Side". (Man, I think that Gene Shallot correspondence course is really paying dividends.) Don't forget to enter our contest for "Professor Layton & the Curious Village" courtesy of CAG Robjus. Special thanks to GoDaddy.com for providing CAG Foreplay listeners with a code for domain names for only $6.95 a year. Just enter code "GAMER1" when you check out to get your savings. Check out all the deals on new releases by clicking on the "Continue Reading" link below! 
  
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Multi-Platform
Alone in the Dark (Last Week) Dev. Eden Games Pub. Atari Systems: PS2, Wii, PC, 360, PS3 MSRP: $39.99-$59.99
Atari resurrects one of the original horror series with the release of Alone in the Dark; which must have been buried in an ancient Micmac burial ground as it has come back a bit "different". Slightly straying from it's traditional third-person, puzzle solving roots, this sixth game is an odd mix of first-person shooting, with third-person Prince of Persia style platforming, and the occasional driving section as well. Mixing three different concepts into one game can be extremely tricky and the early reviews have indicated that there are a lot of good concepts that don't get fully realized. For example, the game starts with the all-too-familiar amnesia scene where we are intended to be immersed into the story through the eyes of the main character, Edward. That's all fine and good, but switching to third-person tends to hamper the immersion that you just set in place. Which is a shame, because the third-person platforming bits look like a good time, even adding an almost Ico like dynamic with the way your character must interact with the game's female companion (so disregard that "Alone" in the title - lack of light, still applicable). Add in a unique episodic presentation that allows you to play the chapters of the game in whichever order you wish with familiar "previously on" clips, and you can certainly tell that this game had a lot of creative minds behind it. Maybe they could have used someone with a little more focused vision, as apparently the game trips all over these scattered ideas with cumbersome controls, frustrating combat, and a overly-restrictive inventory system which is a shame for the amount of potential this game had. With reviews all over the map, your enjoyment could ultimately come down to your willingness to work through the frightening flaws. - ship
Best Deal:
EB/GameStop is offering the Xbox 360 version of Alone in the Dark for $50 and all versions come with a free t-shirt and soundtrack. GoGamer.com is offering the Xbox 360 and Wii versions for around $41 shipped and the PS2 version for around $33 shipped as part of a 48 hour madness sale.
Purchase At Amazon $59.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At EB Games $49.99 (Free t-shirt and soundtrack CD) Purchase At Family Video $56.48 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At GoGamer $37.90 ($2.99 shipping)
Purchase At Amazon $49.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $47.47 (99 cent shipping)
Purchase At Amazon $39.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At EB Games $39.99 (Free t-shirt and soundtrack CD) Purchase At Deep Discount $38.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At GoGamer $29.90 ($2.99 shipping)
Purchase At Amazon $49.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At EB Games $49.99 (Free t-shirt and soundtrack CD) Purchase At Family Video $47.47 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At GoGamer $37.90 ($2.99 shipping)Battlefield: Bad Company (Last Week) Dev. EA Digital Illusions CE Pub. Electronic Arts Systems: 360, PS3 MSRP: $59.99, $69.99
Okay, so let's go ahead and get the Call of Duty 4 comparisons out of the way. Like every smart post-COD4 military shooter, Battlefield features an online leveling up system that has you chasing experience points to upgrade your character and unlock new gear and perks (yes, I realize that Battlefield 2 also had a ranking system, but COD4. What sets Bad Company apart, is the vehicles: instead of calling in attack choppers, you'll be able to pilot your own Apache or Black Hawk... or tanks and various other vehicles of destruction. And that destruction will come in handy as the environments of the game allow for quite a bit of deformation leading to a constantly changing battleground. With so much emphasis on environmental interactions though, it seems strange to me that no cover system was introduced this time around. As such, the game plays very similarly to Battlefield 2 with its perfectly acceptable controls and large levels that are a staple of the series. New this time around, however, is an actual single player story campaign from which we get the mandatory subtitle. It turns out your character has just been assigned to the Army's band of misfit soldiers: AKA the Bad Company. And once you've fought alongside them and had to suffer through their streams of one-liners, you'll understand the double meaning. I also have "Feel Like Makin' Love" stuck in my head now, thanks EA. - ship
Best Deal:
Fry's is offering Battlefield: Bad Company for $53.
Purchase At Amazon $59.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Deep Discount $58.95 (Free shipping) Purchase At Fry's $52.99 
Purchase At Amazon $59.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Deep Discount $58.95 (Free shipping) Purchase At Fry's $52.99 Purchase At Play-Asia $49.90 ($3.40 shipping - Region-Free Asian Version) Purchase At Amazon $69.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Deep Discount $68.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Amazon $69.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Deep Discount $68.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Play-Asia $59.90 ($5.90 shipping - Region-Free Asian Version)Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Dev. Neversoft Pub. Activision Systems: PS2, Wii, 360, PS3 MSRP: $49.99-$149.99
This new edition of Guitar Hero was selling out at midnight at our local Meijer, so it's clearly a game to be talked about. You can buy the title game-only or bundled with an Aerosmith guitar. The gameplay remains the same as Guitar Hero III and features (DUH) the music of Aerosmith, the Kinks, Cheap Trick, and a few more opening-band songs. There are many, many sources for the full playlist, but notedly there are a few greats missing, notedly Janie's Got A Gun. No doubt there will be downloadable content. I personally can't wait to play Dream On and Sweet Emotion. Something tells me I'd better learn how to hammer on first. - mrs. ship
Best Deal:
There are all kinds of different bundles for Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, but the best deal is probably at Best Buy where you get a free Aerosmith CD and $10 off Microsoft Points.
Purchase At Amazon $59.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $53.99 ($1.99 shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $59.99 (Free Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD & $10 off 1600 Microsoft Points) Purchase At Circuit City $59.99 (Free guitar strap) Purchase At Amazon $49.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $44.99 ($1.99 shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $49.99 (Free Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD) Purchase At Circuit City $49.99 (Free guitar strap) Purchase At Amazon $59.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $53.99 ($1.99 shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $59.99 (Free Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD) Purchase At Circuit City $59.99 (Free guitar strap) Purchase At Amazon $49.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $44.99 ($1.99 shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $49.99 (Free Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD) Purchase At Circuit City $49.99 (Free guitar strap) Purchase At Amazon $99.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $93.74 ($1.99 shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $99.99 (Free Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD & $10 off 1600 Microsoft Points) Purchase At Circuit City $99.99 (Free guitar strap) Purchase At Amazon $89.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $84.12 ($1.99 shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $89.99 (Free Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD) Purchase At Circuit City $89.99 (Free guitar strap) Purchase At Amazon $109.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $102.75 ($1.99 shipping) Purchase At Amazon $109.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Circuit City $109.99 (Free guitar strap) Purchase At Amazon $99.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $93.74 ($1.99 shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $99.99 (Free Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD) Purchase At Circuit City $99.99 (Free guitar strap) Purchase At Amazon $99.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $93.74 ($1.99 shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $99.99 (Free Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD) Purchase At Circuit City $99.99 (Free guitar strap) Purchase At Target $149.99 (Target exclusive)Hail to the Chimp (Last Week) Dev. Wideload Games Pub. Gamecock Systems: 360, PS3 MSRP: $39.99
Oh, this title seems a little bizarre to me. It's a politics-themed party title with different animals competing to be elected as the next King of the Jungle (the Lion resigned recently - the details are fuzzy but there's scandal involved). The mini-games are all election-themed, and not all the gameplay is on the up-and-up. The replay value is pretty good, since depending on the particular mini-game and the characters participating in the event, the strategy changed. Overall, it looks intriguing. I'd wait for the price to drop a bit before giving it a try though. - mrs. ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for Hail to the Chimp.
Purchase At Amazon $39.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Deep Discount $38.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Amazon $39.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Deep Discount $38.99 (Free shipping)Hellboy: The Science of Evil (Last Week) Dev. Krome Studios Pub. Konami Systems: PSP, 360, PS3 MSRP: $29.99, $59.99
Conveniently releasing just weeks before the upcoming Hellboy movie sequel and featuring the voice acting of Ron Perlman and the rest of the film's cast, The Science of Evil is not technically a movie-tie-in, but rather a completely separate story. And this story centers around you hitting all manner of demons with your oversized right hand of stone and shooting them with your equally oversized firearm in the hopes of saving the world from
Best Deal:
Hellboy: The Science of Evil comes with a free movie ticket packaged in the game. Meijer is offering the Xbox 360 version of the game for $29.99.
Purchase At Amazon $59.99 (Free shipping, movie ticket, and digital comic) Purchase At Family Video $57.68 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At Meijer $29.99 Purchase At Amazon $59.99 (Free shipping, movie ticket, and digital comic) Purchase At Family Video $57.68 (99 cent shipping)
Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping, movie ticket, and digital comic) Purchase At Family Video $28.24 (99 cent shipping)Top Spin 3 (Last Week) Dev. PAM Development Pub. 2K Sports Systems: DS, Wii, 360, PS3 MSRP: $29.99-$59.99
The on-going volley between Virtua Tennis and Top Spin continues with Top Spin 3 returning with a more realistic take on the royal game. Yes, that immediately means more difficult, but any tennis game worth it's fuzzy balls has a bit of a learning curve. Perhaps the most apparent improvement is in the animation department where players have uncannily realistic weight and fluidity when approaching, hitting, and following through shots. It's pretty impressive, especially when you can instantly recognize the swings of Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, and legends like Boris Becker and Monica Seles. (Yes, it's hard to believe that I would know what those players look like when they swing, but when you see the game in motion, some bizarre recessed portion of your mind that stores Andy Roddick minutia will instantly tell you it looks right.) In an interesting exclusivity move, Rafael Nadal is only available in the PlayStation 3 version of the game, but maybe you can make a mohawked version of him with the built-in create-a-character in the other versions. (Why must they always show off custom characters with mohawks?) And of course there is online play for up to four players. Unless you get the Wii version, then you get no online play and an updated version of Top Spin 2 with motion controls and party games. The ball's back in your court now Virtua Tennis... don't try to hit it back to quickly or you'll just dive and make yourself look like a fool. - ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for Top Spin 3.
Purchase At Amazon $59.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $57.68 (99 cent shipping)
Purchase At Amazon $27.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Amazon $59.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $57.68 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At Amazon $49.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $48.06 (99 cent shipping)Wall-E (Last Week) Dev. Heavy Iron Studios Pub. THQ Systems: PC, DS, PSP, PS2, Wii, 360, PS3 MSRP: $19.99-$49.99
Have I mentioned how much I love previewing games that are being released for every system possible, including the PC AND the Mac? Wall-E is the hero robot in the new Disney/Pixar film, so this title is (of course) and action-adventure/platformer. It's got all the necessary components: adorable characters with endearing character flaws, well-known Hollywood actors doing voice-overs, and the token collectable items with in each linear level. Maybe I'm just a bit jaded this week. The nice thing is that the 360/PS3 versions of the game were developed first and then downscaled to the other consoles/outlets. So, you're not paying for a PS2 port, which goes in the plus column. It also uses the Havoc engine, which means the physics should be good. Overall, it seems that for what it is (a game-based on a summer kids movie), the good Pixar animation and the decent game development mean that this game is actually a solid title. - mrs. ship
Best Deal:
Best Buy is offering a free movie ticket with your purchase of Wall-E.
Purchase At Amazon $49.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $48.07 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $49.99 (Free movie ticket) Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $27.94 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $29.99 (Free movie ticket) Purchase At Amazon $19.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25) Purchase At Amazon $39.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $38.46 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $39.99 (Free movie ticket) Purchase At Amazon $49.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $48.07 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $49.99 (Free movie ticket) Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $27.94 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $29.99 (Free movie ticket) Purchase At Amazon $49.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $48.01 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At Best Buy $49.99 (Free movie ticket)Wii
Big Beach Sports (Last Week) Dev. HB Studios Pub. THQ Systems: Wii MSRP: $29.99
There's a gameplay video for this title out on the Wii channel. Ship and I checked it out, and it looks like Mii-ish characters playing bocci, soccer, football, volleyball, frisbee golf, and cricket. The gameplay looks similar to Wii sports, and seems like a good idea for someone who plays a lot of local multiplayer. There isn't going to be anything particular mind-blowing about this title, which makes the $30 price tag pretty accurate. - mrs. ship
Best Deal:
Circuit City is offering Big Beach Sports for $27.
Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $27.94 (99 cent shipping) Purchase At Circuit City $26.99 Cocoto Kart Racer (Last Week) Dev. Neko Entertainment Pub. Conspiracy Systems: Wii MSRP: $19.99
It's kart racing featuring our favorite budget devil character. There's been a cauldron theft, and the racing somehow their only chance of recovering it comes from racing various oppenents. Overall, these games are what you'd expect from a budget title, but a mediocre budget Wii racing title might appeal to some gamers. - mrs. ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for Cocoto Kart Racer.
Purchase At Amazon $19.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25)Myth Makers: Trixie in Toyland (Last Week) Dev. Data Design Pub. Conspiracy Systems: Wii MSRP: $19.99
The first thing that pops into my mind is who the hell is Trixie and why is she in Toyland? Those seem like the first details I'll need for the preview. Based on the cover art, she's a giant cross-eyed girl with a rattle or lollipop of some sort. These titles are budget, and usually PS2 games ported to the other systems. It's a platformer, so you can expect orbs to collect and some candy-themed interactive objects. Historically, the Myth Makers games get reviews in the 2-3/10 range, so wait for this one to hit the bargain bin if it really piques your interest. - mrs. ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for Myth Makers: Trixie in Toyland.
Purchase At Amazon $19.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25)Purr Pals Dev. Crave Entertainment Pub. Crave Entertainment Systems: Wii MSRP: $29.99
(Deja Preview) Yet another pet simulator for the
The Wii version allows you to drive your virtual feline neurotic by using the Wiimote as a laser pointer in addition to fishing string and other cat toys. - ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for Purr Pals.
Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Deep Discount $28.99 (Free shipping)Rock Band (Last Week) Dev. Harmonix Pub. MTV Games Systems: Wii MSRP: $49.99, $169.99
Wii owners now get the chance to clutter up their living rooms with peripherals that will be obsolete when the next crop of music games come out. And since you're cool cat and have no need for storage, don't worry about having to download additional tracks as you'll be able to expand your setlist by buying additional song packs on retail discs. One other important thing to note: the Wii's Guitar Hero III controller does not work with Rock Band. - ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for Rock Band.
Purchase At Amazon $49.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Deep Discount $48.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Amazon $169.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At EB Games $169.99 Purchase At Deep Discount $168.99 (Free shipping)DS
1 vs. 100 Dev. ECI Pub. Destination Software Systems: DS MSRP: $19.99
Even though this game show might be cancelled (there's no formal word on it's fate), you can still play until your heart's content with the new DS version of 1 vs. 100. Based on multiple choice trivia questions, the goal is to eliminate the "100" by answering questions correctly. Although the game version features host Bob Saget on the cover, the show reportedly is searching for a new host. If trivia is your gaming forte, then you should pick this one up for $20. - mrs. ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for 1 vs. 100.
Purchase At Amazon $19.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25)American Girl: Kit Mystery Challenge (Last Week) Dev. THQ Pub. THQ Systems: DS MSRP: $29.99
This point-and-click adventure title features Kit, an American Girl living in Cincinnati during the Great Depression. Kit's goal is to write an article for the Cincinnati Register, and but she needs to solve the case in order to get a good story! This title is geared towards the tween girl, as is the popular book series it's based upon. As found with any tween girl title, there are random side quests to earn money and different outfits for Kit to wear. Check and check. - mrs. ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for American Girl: Kit Mystery Challenge.
Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Family Video $27.94 (99 cent shipping)AMF Bowling Pinbusters! Dev. Vir2L Studios Pub. ZeniMax Systems: DS MSRP: $19.99
(Deja Preview) Sure, the Wii comes bundled with a bowling game already, but that’s not going to stop yet another bowling game from releasing. So, oil up your balls and get ready to experience zany characters like drill sergeants and cowgirls and the always exciting, rave-tastic cosmic bowling. And rounding out the list of features are, of course, some mini games. – ship
The DS version adds global WiFi play and a point and click control scheme. Zany characters and locales are intact. - ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for AMF Bowling Pinbusters!
Purchase At Amazon $19.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25) Purchase At Deep Discount $18.99 (Free shipping)Cake Mania 2 (Last Week) Dev. Digital Embryo Pub. Majesco Systems: DS MSRP: $19.99
Cake Mania 2 is a Diner Dash-type strategy game where the goal is to maximize profit via cake-baking. My first instinct with this title was to smirk and roll my eyes, but after spending about 30 minutes on playing the demo over and over and over, I can see how these titles are addictive. Almost as addictive as cake itself! - mrs. ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for Cake Mania 2.
Purchase At Amazon $19.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25)Ducati Moto Dev. Vir2L Studios Pub. ZeniMax Systems: DS MSRP: $19.99
“Hypermotard”: a potentially offensive insult or just a brand name motorcycle? If you can answer that with any sort of certainty, maybe Ducati Moto will get your engine running. Featuring eleven different crotch rockets manufactured by Ducati, this arcade racer allows you to upgrade your bike across fifty different challenges that span locations like Morocco, Italy, and Hong Kong. And with the built in Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, maybe you’ll race against actual people from those locales as you strive to be king of the Hypermotards! - ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for Ducati Moto.
Purchase At Amazon $19.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25) Purchase At Deep Discount $18.99 (Free shipping)Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (Last Week) Dev. Square Enix Pub. Square Enix Systems: DS MSRP: $39.99
Fans of the series will be pretty familiar with this formula by now, but if you care to invest massive amounts of time building your clan of warriors from over fifty different job types, this is going to keep you happily tapping and watching as the methodical turn-based battles unfold. The graphics have of course been improved and they are certainly vibrant and colorful in the classic Final Fantasy style. The two screens split up the clutter of information somewhat as the bottom screen contains the grid based map and battle actions while the top screen simply keeps you up to date on which character currently has the floor and the order in which the remaining characters will get their turn. So if you're looking for a slightly updated version of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, with over 400 different quests and 100+ hours of gameplay, Final Fantasy Tactics A2 is ready to fill that full-time position in your DS slot. - ship
Best Deal:
There don't seem to be any specific deals for Final Fantasy Tactics A2.
Purchase At Amazon $39.99 (Free shipping) Purchase At Deep Discount $38.99 (Free shipping)Visit the Forum Thread for the rest of the new releases!
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Posted at 02:41 AM
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